Paraphrased from Zhuangzi, via memory alone:
The student approached the sage and said, “Master, today I forgot to eat. I forgot rest. I forgot activity. I forgot hunger.”
The student peered at the sage, and the sage was as a lake, with water so clear that the bottom of the lake could be seen as if there were no water in it at all.
The sage said, “Good. You have taken a step towards the way.”
The student approached the sage and said, “Master, today I forgot to eat. I forgot rest. I forgot activity. I forgot hunger.”
The student peered at the sage, and the sage was as a lake, with water so clear that the bottom of the lake could be seen as if there were no water in it at all.
The sage said, “Good. You have taken a step towards the way.”
Many months later the student approached the sage and said, “Master, I forgot time. I forgot the definitions of months, of hours, of years. I forgot when I am. I forgot where I am. I forgot my place. I forgot the places of the bushes, and the places of the stones and animals.”
The student peered at the sage, and the sage was as a lake with water so clear that the lake appeared to be empty.
The sage said, “Good. You have taken a step towards the way.”
Many years later the student approached the sage and said, “I have forgotten myself. I have forgotten my name. I have forgotten my body. I have forgotten thoughts. I have forgotten feelings. I have forgotten.”
The sage peered at the student, and through the student. The student was as water, so clear that it was as if the sage was peering through nothing at all.
The sage said, “Now you are master, and I shall follow you towards the way.”
----
The world is full of many things. The world is full of kindness. The world is full of beauty. The world is full of brilliance. The world is full of knowledge. The world is full of hope. The world is full.
For others to follow one to these things, one must be empty of their self, that others may see themselves in that emptiness, as if gazing in a mirror. Thus, they will see this world reflected in themselves.
The student peered at the sage, and the sage was as a lake with water so clear that the lake appeared to be empty.
The sage said, “Good. You have taken a step towards the way.”
Many years later the student approached the sage and said, “I have forgotten myself. I have forgotten my name. I have forgotten my body. I have forgotten thoughts. I have forgotten feelings. I have forgotten.”
The sage peered at the student, and through the student. The student was as water, so clear that it was as if the sage was peering through nothing at all.
The sage said, “Now you are master, and I shall follow you towards the way.”
----
The world is full of many things. The world is full of kindness. The world is full of beauty. The world is full of brilliance. The world is full of knowledge. The world is full of hope. The world is full.
For others to follow one to these things, one must be empty of their self, that others may see themselves in that emptiness, as if gazing in a mirror. Thus, they will see this world reflected in themselves.